Gov. Martin O'Malley introduced New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg late Monday morning as he presented the opening remarks at the Summit on Reducing Gun Violence in America that's being held at Johns Hopkins University. Bloomberg is the co-chair of the group Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

Some of the topics that will be touched upon at the event include preventing gun violence involving the mentally ill, the role of universal background checks and other forms of firearm seller accountability, a review of the 10-year U.S. assault weapons ban and how to use technology to save lives.

"There is a sickness in our country, and that sickness is gun violence," O'Malley said.

The governor has come up with a gun control plan that includes a ban on all assault weapons and limits the number of rounds a magazine could hold.

The plan calls for new licensing requirements, meaning gun purchasers must have a license before they purchase a weapon. It would also include a second background check at the time of purchase, and those buying guns would have to submit to a digital fingerprint. Hunting rifles and shotguns would be exempt.

Vinney Demarco, the national coordinator of Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, applauded the governor's plans.

"This is a life-saving public health proposal. Requiring gun purchasers to get a license before they purchase a gun is the best thing a state can do to reduce gun violence and save lives," Demarco said.

The governor's gun control package is designed to improve mental health services with reforms such as timely data sharing and the creation of an early intervention center for serious mental illness. Police would have the authority to take guns away from Maryland residents ruled mentally incompetent.

O'Malley said he wants to broaden the category of prohibited firearm sales to include people under guardianship who can't care for themselves and those who have been civilly committed.

He's also planning a number of school safety measures. O'Malley said he will create a fund in the capital budget to tighten school security -- the newly-created Maryland Center for School Safety. Law enforcement and school officials will oversee the operation of surveillance, automatic door locks, shatterproof glass and visitor check-in.

The governor also appealed to State House Republicans who oppose gun restrictions.

"You see a problem, you bring people together, you fix it and you then see measurable results. In this case, the measurable results we'll see will be lives saved," O'Malley said.

The governor's initiatives comes on the heels of a tentative deal in the New York State House to enact the nation's first gun-control measures following the Newtown school shooting in Connecticut. The agreement further restricts assault weapons.

"This is not a constitutional question. It's a question of political courage," Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg used the summit to urge the president and Congress to enact seven control measures. They include limiting the sales and ammo of assault weapons, background checks on all gun sales and to make gun trafficking and prosecution a priority federal crime.

"Regulating assault weapons certainly falls within the bounds of the Second Amendment, and so does everything else we are urging," Bloomberg said.

More than 20 experts on gun policy and violence were expected to speak and adopt specific recommendations for gun policy action that could help reduce violence while avoiding violating constitutional rights. The recommendations will be announced at a post-summit news conference at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Two weeks from now, the proposals along with back-up research will be put into book form and distributed to every member of Congress.

States with strongest, weakest gun laws

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Bullet, gun ammunition

The debate over gun control continues to be a hot topic in America. Take a look at which states have the strictest and weakest gun laws, according to ratings from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.